Instructor

Course Description and Objectives

Course Description:Herpetology is the scientific study of the amphibians and reptiles. In this course, we will examine the diversity of both groups, and learn about their basic biology (e.g., their physiology, ecology, behavior, reproductive biology, and conservation). Specifically, goals of this course are to familiarize the student with the identification, natural history, and conservation of Connecticut's amphibians and reptiles through direct field experience (e.g., active searches, turtle trapping, artificial cover objects, night-time road searches, and radio tracking). There will be various opportunities to observe these animals in the field during the day and at night. Students will leave the course with a good background in herpetology, and with a sound understanding of the diversity and distribution of amphibians and reptiles worldwide, with particular emphasis on Connecticut herpetofauna.

Course Objectives:
After completing this course the student should be able to:

identify Connecticut’s amphibians and reptiles by sight, and in the case of frogs by sound as well

apply with proficiency the scientific method to assess questions and design a project pertaining to herpetofaunal biology and conservation

Course Procedures and Policies

Each class will be comprised of a mini lecture (30-45 minutes), followed by a trip to a local field site. The lecture portion of this course will deal with various aspects of the biology of amphibians and reptiles, including physiological ecology, communication, social behavior, reproduction, parental care, and community ecology. The field trips will focus on the identification of Connecticut amphibians and reptiles, in addition to the demonstration and use of standard herpetological surveying and collecting techniques. There will be some evening field trips to see breeding of local amphibians and daytime field trips to see other species. Students are expected to attend the field trips.

Grades:
Grades will be determined as follows:

Midterm: 100 pts

Final: 100 pts

Paper on individual project: 50 pts

Presentation on individual project: 50 pts

Field notebook entries: 75 pts

Participation: 25 pts

TOTAL: 400 pts

Attendance:
Due to the accelerated and intensive nature of this summer course (3 hours, 5 days a week, 3 weeks), attendance is fully expected barring any illnesses or emergency. Missing a single class is roughly the equivalent of missing an entire week of a course during a standard semester, so it is very important that you attend every class.

Academic Integrity:
Plagiarism and cheating are violations of the student conduct code, and may be punished by failure in the course or, in severe cases, dismissal from the University. For more information, see Appendix A of the Student Conduct Code.

Disabilities:
If you have a disability for which you may be requesting an accommodation, you should contact a course instructor and the Center for Students with Disabilities (Wilbur Cross Building, Room 201) within the first two weeks of the semester.

Course Materials

Required:

A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America 4th edition; R. Conant and J. Collins ISBN-10: 0395904528

Bound field notebook (composition book is fine and cheap)

Old/junky footwear and clothes

Recommended:

Rubber boots

Pair of waders (will be available if you don’t have a pair)

Headlamp (will be available)

Insect repellent and sunscreen

Schedule

Date

Mini-Lecture Topic

Field Agenda*

Materials

M, May 7

Introduction; standard field techniques

H.E.E.P. Trail, UConn campus

SyllabusCT Herp Checklist

T, May 8

CT salamanders

Albert E. Moss Sanctuary, adjacent to UConn campus

W, May 9PM CLASS 7-10PM

CT frogs

Fenton River, UConn Forest

TH, May 10

CT turtles

Fenton River, UConn Forest

F, May 11

CT snakes

Wolf Rock

M, May 14

Physiological adaptations in herps; review

Mansfield Hollow Dam State Park

T, May 15

MIDTERM

H.E.E.P. Trail, UConn Campus

W, May 16

Feeding ecology of amphibians and reptiles

?

TH, May 17

Amphibian mating systems

?

F, May 18

Reptilian mating systems

?

M, May 21

Communication in amphibians

?

T, May 22

Communication in reptiles

?

W, May 23

Conservation of amphibians and reptiles

Bigelow Hollow State Park

TH, May 24

PRESENTATIONS and PAPERS DUE; review

F, May 25

FINAL; field notebooks due

[*changes to our field trip itinerary may be made pending weather, etc.]